27. How to Plan a Brand Shoot That Reflects Your True Business Identity

Brand shoots aren’t just about getting some pretty photos for your social media—they’re a powerful opportunity to tell your brand’s story in a visual way. I’m sharing everything I’ve learned about planning a successful brand shoot, from choosing the right photographer to creating the perfect wardrobe that reflects your brand identity. I’ll admit, my first brand shoot didn’t go as smoothly as I hoped, but that’s why I’m so excited to guide you through the process today—because planning matters.

It’s not just about looking good in front of the camera; it’s about capturing your brand’s true essence. In today’s episode, I’m talking about how to strategize your shoot, select the best location, and choose outfits that work with your color palette. 

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You’ll also hear some of my personal lessons learned, like why having a shot list and props are crucial, and how prepping yourself (and your team) for a shoot can make all the difference in capturing that brand magic. Let’s dive in!

In this episode, we discuss:

• How to choose the right photographer for your brand shoot

• What to wear: Aligning your wardrobe with your brand’s identity

• Why a brand strategy is essential before any photo shoot

• Tips for preparing your shoot (from mood boards to shot lists)

• How props and people can enhance the authenticity of your shoot

Watch on YouTube

Key Takeaways

The Importance of Brand Shoots (00:00 - 05:10)

• What you wear for a brand shoot must be strategically chosen to complement the brand colors

• Brand shoots serve a purpose: providing photos for websites, social media, and marketing

• The speaker's first brand shoot had limited budget and planning, resulting in photos that didn't accurately reflect their brand

• Brand shoots act as an 'energetic portal' ushering in a new chapter of business

• For the speaker's second shoot, they established a budget, prioritized space, and included actual coaching clients

• Photos from brand shoots typically need to last a long time, making proper planning essential

Brand Strategy Foundation (05:10 - 10:26)

• A brand refresh began with renaming the podcast and updating colors while maintaining earth tones

• Brand strategy must come before visual branding elements to avoid costly redesigns later

• Large companies evolve their brands slowly and deliberately over time

• A concrete brand strategy allows for natural evolution without complete overhauls

• The speaker's first shoot in Joshua Tree had a 'boho vibe' that ultimately didn't match their brand aesthetic

• Knowing your brand strategy helps determine appropriate backgrounds, color schemes, and overall shoot vibe

Planning the Perfect Shoot (10:26 - 18:43)

• Photographer selection is crucial - find someone who makes you feel comfortable

• Location and photographer are typically the most expensive elements of a shoot

• Peerspace recommended for finding photo shoot locations by the hour or day

• Clothing choices should reflect or complement brand colors and tones

• The speaker planned three specific looks for different aspects of their business: Professional/conference look, Spiritual/meditative look, Creative director look

• Utilized a free Nordstrom stylist instead of paying for a $1000+ professional stylist

• Schedule beauty treatments (makeup, eyebrows) appropriately before the shoot

• Create a shot list based on needed marketing materials

Executing the Shoot Successfully (18:44 - 27:03)

• Carefully select elements including people (models who represent your target market)

• The speaker's shoot included two friends in their 30s launching a business (matching target audience)

• Researched posing techniques on YouTube to overcome camera awkwardness

• Brought snacks and water for everyone involved in the shoot

• Included specific props related to their business (microphone for podcast, laptop, brainstorming materials)

• Conducted actual coaching sessions during the shoot to capture authentic interactions

• Communicated with photographer about needed horizontal vs. vertical orientations

• Be prepared to embrace spontaneous opportunities during the shoot

• The speaker mentions a brand strategy episode coming soon and their podcast is being renamed

About your host:

Samantha Fackler is an Executive Leadership Coach and Marketing Advisor who transforms how women entrepreneurs grow a freedom-based business. After scaling 100+ companies over 12+ years with both Fortune 500 companies (think Apple, PayPal, LinkedIn) and early-stage founders, she brings a rare blend of corporate strategy and holistic leadership to help you scale intentionally. Her approach? Building aligned, profitable businesses without the burnout narrative. Because success shouldn't cost you your wellbeing.

Free Guide: ⁠⁠Common Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make in Marketing (& How to Fix Them)⁠⁠

Connect with Sam:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@growwith_sam⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠@sidenotepod⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠www.growwithsam.com⁠⁠⁠

YouTube:⁠⁠⁠@sidenotepod⁠⁠⁠

Have a transformation story worth sharing? Top-tier women entrepreneurs can apply to be a guest at⁠⁠⁠ sidenotepod.com⁠⁠⁠.

Podcast Produced by Dany Albertina